USAID in Partnership with the Ministry of Justice Opened Two Free Legal Aid Centers in Karakul and Kеrben

USAID in Partnership with the Ministry of Justice Opened Two Free Legal Aid Centers in Karakul and Kеrben

The USAID Collaborative Governance Program (USAID/CGP), in partnership with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Justice (MOJ) opened two Free Legal Aid Centers (FLACs) in Kerben and Karakul cities in Jalal-Abad oblast at the end of July. At each ceremony, the director of the MOJ’s Center for Coordination of State-Guaranteed Legal Aid, Akzhol Kalbekov, stressed the importance of the centers, noting that they increase access to justice, improve public awareness of legal rights, and promote the rule of law in the country. Together with two additional FLAC openings in Issyk-Kul oblast in June, these new facilities bring the total number of FLACs in the country to 24. USAID/CGP opened 10 of these centers, with the MOJ funding the other 14. USAID will continue to provide training to all 24 FLACs through 2019, at which time the MOJ will assume full management responsibility. By helping citizens understand how to use the court system to defend their rights, USAID and the MOJ are working together to strengthen democratic values and institutions in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Director of the Center for Coordination of State-Guaranteed Legal Aid under the Ministry of Justice (from left to right), Chairman of the Karakul City Council and USAID Project Management Specialist cutting a ribbon dedicated to the inauguration of FLAC in Karakul town.

Deputy Chief of Party of the USAID Collaborative Governance Program Ruslan Moldokasymov making opening remarks during the inauguration ceremony of Free Legal Aid Center in Kerben town, Jalalabad province.

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